Mothers Care – Inspirational Leadership Story
For many of us the greatest leader in our life was our mom. Mothers care, and they lead like it. They do so with love, by example and with courage. Mothers are often our primary developers, nurturers, teachers, coaches and support.
Abraham Lincoln said it best when he said “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” It is my opinion that a mother’s care is Heavens model of leadership.
If your mom is living and you live close by, give her a hug and say “thanks. If she is far away, give her a call and tell her you love her. If she has passed away, take a moment and reflect on how she has blessed your life.
I heard the following impactful leadership story and found it touching. Perhaps you have heard it before.
One day a little boy found his mother in the kitchen fixing dinner and slipped her a piece of paper. She dried her hands on her apron, and took a minute to read it. This is what it said.
For mowing the lawn: $5.00
For cleaning my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my brother while you were out: $.25
Emptying the Garbage: $1.00
For getting good grades on my report card: $5.00
For raking the yard and picking it up: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75
When the mother was finished reading the note, she stood there and looked at him. He could see memories of these events flashing through her mind. She picked up a pen and pad of paper and wrote the following:
For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside of me: No Charge
For every night I stayed up with you when you were upset or sick, held you and prayed for you: No Charge
For all the difficult times and my tears: No Charge
For all the nights I worried about your future and what was ahead: No Charge
For your shelter, food, clothing, toys and even wiping your nose: No Charge
She said, “Son, when I add up all of the cost, my love for you is No Charge.”
After the boy finished reading his mother’s note, big tears welled up in his eyes. He looked straight at his mother and said. “Mom, I sure do love you.” The son then took the pen and his mother’s note and wrote in big words, “PAID IN FULL.”
What types of things do leaders and others do for you that are “No Charge?” How about your mother?
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